The Wal-Mart just east of state Highway 161, near state Highway 183, had to assign some of its associates to direct traffic in the parking lot as vehicles fought for prime spots to get a jump on the holiday sales.

"It's madness," cried Tara Deville of Irving, as she walked out of the store pulling a shopping cart piled high with gifts for her family.

In Dallas, the Target at the City Place shopping center, off of the Haskell Avenue exit of US Highway 75, the doors did not open until 8 p.m.

Brandon Anderson showed up at 9 a.m. to ensure he would walk away with a new big screen television.

"Every year that there's a deal somewhere I'm going. You can't beat no deal," Anderson told NBC 5 about how he rationalized spending Thanksgiving waiting in a line.